Mechanical properties of a discontinuous random fiber composite for totally bioabsorbable fracture fixation devices

The mechanical properties of a new class of bioabsorbable polymer/composite based on the amino acid tyrosine and calcium phosphate fibers were examined. The tensile modulus of the neat polymer was increased by more than 115% by using a plasma fiber treatment. The use of these innovative materials in fixation devices could potentially eliminate the need for a second surgery to retrieve the implant.